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A couple years ago, had I been asked whether same-sex marriages are acceptable, I would have gone into an extensive and harsh response against it. Looking back and thinking of what I might have said, my present self would have punched my old self in the face for such a judgmental reply.

I’m happy to say that since then I have become much more open-minded and gained rational, independent thought. I used to follow and support any belief my overly conservative parents held. I can’t count the number of times I have listened to my father rant about “queers” and “faggots”, how they are disgusting and will spend eternity in hell. I came out as being gay nearly two years ago, so you can imagine what internal conflict this caused. I’m happy that I took this step because I am no longer confused and self-loathing and, even better, have become my own person.

we've done it!

I suppose my answer to this question is obvious. Yes, I support same-sex marriage, which is an answer that should be valued. I am not claiming that my answer is more thought out than anyone else’s, but I am claiming that I am one person who has experienced both sides of the situation.

Before coming out, I was just like my parents—a Bible reading, sin hating Southern Baptist. And I am not saying that religion is a bad thing because it is very morally beneficial. But religion can generate close-mindedness. I remember feeling the extreme dislike for homosexuals and the discomfort that they made me feel. But when I was a teen, I began feeling attracted to other guys, which terrified me. To retaliate against myself, I showed hate for gays, similar to that of my father’s, hoping to cover up that part of me, which I did hate (People who display extreme hate for gays are more often than not gay themselves…I’m living proof of it.)

Now that I am out and living life the way I want to live it, I can’t remember any reason why I disagreed with homosexuality other than to hide my sexuality and because of what I had been brought up to believe and think. Honestly, if you look at the other answers that Plinky users have posted, many of the ones who don’t support same-sex marriage simply say “NO”. There is no reason behind their opposition. And the ones that do say something other than “NO” often do not give very sensible reasons.

So I’m going to point out and discuss some of the reasons that other users have given for their opposition of same-sex marriage. I will also state what changes I would like to see when it comes to the acceptance of LGBT culture.

1) Homosexuality is unnatural.

I’m sure you have been told this before, but homosexuality is not uncommon, not even among animals. “Homosexual behaviour has been observed in 1,500 animal species” (http://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/10/23/20718.aspx). When it comes to humans, I will not state what percentage of people are homosexual since there really is no true way to know. But I guarantee that everyone has come across or knows at least one person who is gay. So, the unnatural/uncommon thing can be thrown out. I believe that the reason people feel this way towards homosexuality is because of the way we have been brought up. Society tells us that being gay is weird and not a normal thing, but the evidence is obviously against that.

2) Same-sex marriage would not be good for society.

My response to this is that looking at the states that have legalized same-sex marriages; they seem to be doing ok. So far they have not gone bankrupt or exploded. They are still there, still sound. I really don’t think that allowing people to marry each other would upset the balance of things as they are now. The only thing that will change is that there will be more marriages. Duh, that’s all. Some people seem to think that allowing gays to marry will damage the holy tradition of marriage. Personally, I don’t understand how the tradition of marriage could be damaged any further, seeing that the divorce rate is nearly fifty percent of all marriages.

3) Same-sex marriage is not a political issue and therefore should not be treated as one.

This couldn’t be any further from the truth. The right to marry is granted by the government, just as every right is. I don’t see how anyone could consider this issue to be anything other than political. “Marriage by the state is a secular activity; the government cannot start making laws just because a religion says they should” (http://www.balancedpolitics.org/same_sex_marriages.htm).


4) Why do gays want to get married anyway?

Some people just think that things should stay the way they are. Some ask, “Why can’t gays just be happy without being married?” Do these people even take into consideration how important marriage is? Marriage brings two people closer together and is very meaningful to some people. Not to mention that there are many legal pluses that accompany marriage. I have heard several gay friends say that they will just marry their straight friend and have an open marriage for the rest of their lives just to get a tax break. Also, if you don’t think that gays need the same governmental rights as straight married couples, I invite you to watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9gyloyOjM. I know that some people (gay or straight) feel that marriage isn’t even necessary and is an outdated tradition. But many people do want to get married and not allowing them to do that because of gender is absolutely ridiculous. Love knows no bound, which brings me to the fifth opposition.

5) Where do you draw the line?

When it comes to same-sex marriage, some people think that “if you give a mouse a cookie, he’ll ask for a glass of milk too”. If gays are allowed to marry then polygamists will want to marry too and then people will even demand the right to marry animals. I personally don’t think that there is anything wrong with polygamist marriages. I prefer in monogamy; polygamy is not for me. However, I respect and support those who are polygamists. How could I not without being a hypocrite? However, polygamist marriages are not as much of an issue at the moment (not to say they will not become as big an issue as same-sex marriages). Also, I feel sure that people will not begin proposing to goats (or any other animal) since goats are not human and therefore do not have rights. So I doubt that the marriage of a human to a “right-less” animal will hold up.

6) It is not God’s intention/God detests homosexuality.

As mentioned before, I have experienced both sides of the situation when it comes to religion and homosexuality. But I still do not understand why being gay upsets so many people. Aren’t we all the same on the inside? Yes, we all have different beliefs and values just like we have different fingerprints. But why can’t we just live our lives and not have to force our beliefs on others? Many religions teach people to shun those who do not follow their religion. That is the only problem I have with religion. The Bible says not to pass judgment on others or else God will pass severe judgment on you…because we are all at fault. No one is perfect. There is nothing wrong with being gay because love is love. All I am asking is to be treated with the same respect that I give to you. If religion taught more of this I think everyone would get along much better. I’m not asking you to like it, just to accept it and give others who are different the same rights you cherish.

7) Homosexuals will turn my child gay.

Perhaps one of the biggest fears is that homosexuals will turn children gay, or otherwise confuse them about the roles of parenthood. This could easily turn into a discussion on whether homosexuality is genetic or acquired, but that is not something I want to talk about now. I will just say that there is no evidence proving that children become gay as a result of growing up around homosexuals. The traditional family image is two parents, a man and a woman, and a son and a daughter. It is just as possible that one of those children will be homosexual as it is for the son or daughter of a gay couple. After all, there are so many children who are parentless today; it would be better for them to be in the care of loving same-sex parents than having no parents at all. And as it is, same-sex couples are often more loving of their children than some heterosexual couples because it takes much more for same-sex couples to adopt or have a child. Just ask any child raised by same-sex parents. I highly doubt that child will say that they regret be raised by those parents because they’re gay.

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Consequently, I find that there is no legitimate reason why homosexual couples should not have the privilege to marry. The hate that is shown towards this issue is simply a result of disliking something different than what is traditional or misunderstanding it. The plain truth is that homosexuals are the same as everyone else. And this entire argument and the discrimination that gays are facing today is parallel to the hardships African Americans faced just a few decades ago during the Civil Rights movement.

They say history repeats itself. I hope that soon, years from now, this will be looked back on like we look at the Civil Rights—awful and over. All I want is for the term “gay” to be looked at with less prejudice and more respect. I want gays and lesbians to not be afraid of coming out to their family or friends because they know that they will be loved just as much being gay. I want homosexual men and women to be seen as normal and for their sexuality to be thought of as just a part of who they are, not what makes them entirely who they are.

In a country that prides itself on equality and justice, let's prove it by equating marriage.